Barcelona has won three of the last four editions of the Champions League and since the group stage was introduced in the 2021-2022 season, the big club has only suffered one defeat in that stage of the tournament.
Otherwise, it has been 16 wins and one draw. Now Barça – with Swedish star Fridolina Rolfö in the starting eleven – knows what it feels like to lose again.
Hammarby and City at the top
Manchester City delivered a brilliant performance in front of a thrilled home crowd in the premiere. Full-back Naomi Layzell forced in the lead goal in the 36th minute after away goalkeeper Cata Coll misjudged a corner.
In the second half, Barcelona pushed hard for an equalizer, but instead, Manchester City's goal queen Khadija Shaw secured the three English points. On a counterattack, the Jamaican rounded Coll in the away goal and rolled in the 2-0 goal with barely a quarter of an hour left to play.
The result means that Manchester City and Hammarby – who beat S:t Pölten at home with 2-0 – top group D.
Arsenal took the lead away against Bayern München in group C – then it was all over for the London club.
Danish attacking star Pernille Harder scored a hat-trick in 13 minutes when Bayern München won the Champions League premiere with 5-2.
In the 73rd minute, the Dane nodded in the 3-2 goal on a corner. Five minutes later, the 31-year-old again headed in on a cross and 4-2 was a fact. And in the 86th minute, the attacker completed her hat-trick when she shot in 5-2 for the Germans from close range.
A tough evening for the Swedish contingent in Arsenal, coached by Jonas Eidevall. Striker Stina Blackstenius had to leave the pitch goalless in the 66th minute, and national team teammate Rosa Kafaji was substituted in in the 79th minute.
Win for Juventus
In Bayern München, Magdalena Eriksson was missing due to knee problems. Linda Sembrant and Julia Zigiotti Olme were substituted in for the home team in the end of the match.
Juventus and Hanna Bennison left Norway with three premiere points after 1-0 against Vålerengen. Sofia Cantore scored the Italians' winning goal in the first half. Emma Kullberg got to jump in at the end for Juventus.
